New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1887-07-23
STRUCK DEAD BY LIGHTNING.
DIXON, THE IcE-cREAM MAKER. KILLED.
HIS FRIEND RYAN ALSO A VICTIM OF THE SAME
BOLT-ANoTHER FRIEND STUNNED.


BOLT-ANoTHER FRIEND STUNNED.
John p Ryan, a weI known barroom keeper at
No. 25 Pearlst. and Michael J. Dixon the well known
ice-crcam manufacturer wege both killed yesterday
by being struck by lightning in their boat Prince
Bay, Staten Island They had accepted an invitation
rom Isaac c. Smith, proprietor OF the Beach House
Vt Princes Bay, to go fishing. They left their homes
In this city Thursday night, arriving at Prince 8
Bay shortly before o'clock About 80 a. m. yes
teday Mr. Smith and his guests started for the beach
to 90 into their boats Mr.. Ryan and Mn Dixon went
into small rowboat while Mr.. Smith got into another
boat by himself Both boats then started for the
buoy at the middle ground about a mile and half
om the shore Roth boats anchored there about thirty
yards apart. The occupants then threw out their
fishing lines and were enjoying the sport when black
clouds began to roll up and thunder and lightning
storm set I'm.
Precisely at IL O'Clock a steam whistle at the
dental works tho Shore at Princess Bay blow
ing, squan up and lightning struck the boat IN
which Messrs. Ryan and Dixon were seated, killing
them Instantly and sinking the boat. Mr. Ryan's
body was found hanging TO the boat Mr.. Ryan had
been struck the left side of the temple His cloth
ing had nearly all bccn burned of and but little had
been left his charred body but his
shoes. Mr.. Dlxon's body was not re-
covered. Mr. Smith was stunned by the shock and
thrown to the bottom Of his boat, where he remained
unconscious for nearly half hour. when he
covered he saw the other boat partly swampcd with
MI. Ryans body hanging to tho side He was able
to his boat, although he had but oar having
lost tho other He made the body Of Mr.. Ryan fast
to his boat and began to pull toward the shore best
he could. When he was within speaking distance
Of the shore he called for help, and Benjamin West
colt, George Bishop, John Vosburgh and Donald
Green went to his assistance and helped him to bring
the body ashore The body was placed In a skiff
the shore, where II viewed by Coroner Hervey
Mr.. Smith to the city to inform tho families
Of the disaster number Of coins found in the
bottom Of the boat had been melted by the electricity.
IL Is the common belief among Princes Bay fisher
men that tho brass 0arocfs attracts the lightning to
the boats. The body OF Mr.. Ryan will be removed
to his homo In this city early this morning Mr..
smith, with delegation Of fishermen, will begin
carly this morning to grapple for the body of Mr..
Dixon.
Mrs. Dixon at the store at One-hundred- and
eishcentl-st and Thrdavc. at O'Clock whtn she
ceived word that her husband had been drowned She
at went the Bleeckerst store and anxiousy
awaited further information concerning the accidents
". f. Demarcst the brother nlswof Mr. Dixon, started
at o'clock for Staten Island to make arrangements
about sending the body to the city. II was supposed
that his body had been recovered from the message that
Mrs. Dixon received No Information was received up
midnight from Mr. Dcmarest. and Mrs Dixon, who had
gone Harlem had hopes that the first dispatch would
prove be mistake. She will 20 to Staten Island this
morning. 1t was said at Mr. Dxons place IN Blocker
had with Mr. Dixon TO Princess Bay but this could
not be confirmed. There also rumor that Michael
Maher retired liquor dealer who lives at Seventy first
st and Thrdave of the party and was drowned
but Mr.. Maher about the city last evening.
Mr.. Dixon born In County Clare Ireland, In ls41.
He came 10 this country when he was eight years old.
His father died from cholera the ship few hours
before IL started. Ills mother had hard time TO get
along after she arrived here but when MrDxon became
old enough 10 work he contributed 10 her support He
had good business capacity and Independent nature
and when young made up his mind that he would
rather make a small amount of money In place OF his
than large amount working for someone else so
he opened "A dining room at No 81 East Broadway lie
successful In this venture. made money aud tn 1851
into the icecrcam business at No $50 Beecker st.
His competitors tried in many ways to keep him from
getting foothod but he fought them hard and by using
the best machinery for the manufacture of icecrcam
instead Of doing the work by hand he was able to MAKE
better cheaper than the old established business
hou-Rs who would not make cream by machinery. His
business has been constantly increasing and this
he has done larger business than before There
ave lived the latter store. He leaves wife
and two children. Mrs Dixon IL In the city but the
children are at Asbury Park His brother William has
large ice cream establishment In Newark, y. j.
Mr.. Dixon well known and highly respected In the
old Ninth Ward and his OF justice tnc that
he asked arbiratc business Disputes among
his friends lie active part In politics but never
for any Office. He was member of the Thirteen
Club Growler Club. the Shanghai Club. and several
political organizations. He Of the organizers Of
the West Side Racing ASsocaton the treasurer OF the
Liquor Dealers Association and member Of Washing
tou Lodge % Free MnsOns